An Exceptional Host Today and Tomorrow The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) is an inclusive place for the meeting of the minds. By Olivia Piché ° Photographs by Jared Sych Sustainable today for a better tomorrow
In 2022, the CTCC became Green Key certified, reflecting its excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. But sustainability is nothing new to the convention centre. The CTCC was Alberta’s first building to gain BOMA’s Go Green certification in 2005, a nationally recognized commercial sustainability certification program. The CTCC puts efforts into reducing electrical consumption, using solar panels and low-flow water fixtures, recycling and waste reduction, which includes sustainable food practices. “It's part of being a good citizen in the community, but we’re also trying to model the way forward,” says Court.
Committed to accessibility and inclusivity
The CTCC is a space for everyone and in 2023, the centre partnered with Pedesting, a local company that created an innovative app designed to map out accessible navigation.
We are the vessel for conversations that may have never happened until everyone entered the room. Kurby Court, CTCC president and CEO
With Pedesting, the journey is a little easier for visitors of all ability levels. The app pinpoints accessibility services within the CTCC and For decades, the Calgary TELUS
around downtown Calgary, like where to find
Convention Centre has been the host
elevators, ramps and accessible washrooms,
for inspiring ideas and change-making
and helps users gain confidence in getting from
conversations. The CTCC believes that
point A to point B.
such transformational connections can only
“[The partnership] sends the message to
happen when everyone can participate. As
the community that everyone is welcome,”
such, sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity
says Nabeel Ramji, co-founder and CEO of
initiatives are foundational pillars of its approach
Pedesting. “People of all walks of life can come
to hosting.
and be themselves and be comfortable. It’s a
“We are the vessel for conversations that may have never happened until everyone entered
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space designed to work for everybody.” Ramji also reviews all major capital projects
the room,” says CTCC president and CEO
at the CTCC through a lens of accessibility. One
Kurby Court. “That is the responsibility of the
of the CTCC’s recent improvements is a fully
convention centre. At the end of the day, we
accessible all-persons washroom in the north
need to serve as a ripple effect in the community
building. This new washroom includes multiple
to create a positive and lasting change.”
call buttons and sensors for emergencies,
Created for Calgary TELUS Convention Centre